Virtual Reality Hazard Perception Presentation

Community safety should be at the heart of a considerate construction project. Cycle safety is a key element of community safety, and sites should seek to raise awareness of this topic among the public and their workforce.

See the examples below for how one site addressed this:

• The site acknowledged there was a large number of cyclists both commuting to site and travelling around the site. Combined with the amount of deliveries to site, the contractor identified the need for awareness-raising around cycle safety.
• The project team held a Virtual Reality (VR) presentation to the community, inviting neighbours onto site. The presentation was also published on the client’s website, Medical Centre website and local newsletters.
• The VR and presentation was used for two functions: hazard perception when onsite to see areas of hazards and what drives behaviour; and driver safety with both road hazards and cyclist awareness.
• A short video demonstrated the majority of people’s behaviour when leaving a vehicle either as a passenger or a driver. When opening the door you generally use your closest hand to open the door which minimises your view of oncoming vehicles, cyclists or pedestrians. The video demonstrated the difference of using your opposite hand and physically reaching to open your door, which maximises your view and allows you to see clearly for any likely hazards prior to opening your door.
• The presentation was well received by the community and requests were made for another visit so people could bring their friends and family to experience the VR presentation.